Kataka Actuators: Like Stuffing Clowns In A Beetle, Only More Vertical

When we talk about innovation, it’s stuff like this we mean. Danish company Kataka makes some crazy slim linear actuators (for those of you who don’t know what a linear actuator is, a simple definition would be “something that pushes another in a straight line”). The mechanism is based on segmented spindle technology, and was conceived by the Danish mechanical engineer Jens Joerren Soerensen during the mid 1990s (also the Kataka CTO). From Wikipedia:

The basic idea was that if a solid conventional spindle is broken up in smaller segments (in a way so it can be assembled and disassembed), it is possible to make compact spindles. The implication is that linear electromechanical actuators (the product is often just called a linear actuator) based on the Segmented Spindle technology can be made more compact as the spindle segments can be packed in a layer perpendicular to the linear movement of the spindle.

In other words, they take the push rod and break it up, store it in a box and assemble it whenever they need to extend it.

I know, none of this makes much sense (including the title of this article). But just watch the videos, and all will be clear.

Linear actuators are used in spaceflight applications typically to produce fine linear adjustments and generally wherever linear motion is needed. This turning of the screw helps in pushing the drive nut along the screw. This drive nut in turn pushes the drive nut along the screw, and pushes the rod out. The rotation of the screw in the opposite direction will retract the rod.

miatke

Hi,These actuators look great. Does anyone have any idea of the purchase price?

OhGizmo! is a frequently updated blog that focuses on covering items that will appeal to a very specific and often very passionate audience: the geek. Aside from the fare of innovative consumer electronic products, the reader can expect to find news about geek culture, absurd inventions, awe inspiring technology, and an ever growing assortment of articles that we like to think fit within our view of what we’re calling the Geek Lifestyle.